A Lucky Survivor

Last Monday, Senator Rick Santorum stopped in Steubenville as part of his campaign for the Presidency. Though he spent the majority of the time there discussing the importance of developing a coherent energy policy for our country, he commented on the new health care mandate in response to a question from the audience. Under this new health care mandate, doctors who care for people with disabilities will be dropped to a lower form of reimbursement, meaning they will lose money if they provide health care to these people. Included among these people with disabilities are Americans with Down syndrome. As Senator Santorum spoke about the 90% of babies with Down Syndrome who are aborted despite the fact that all life has intrinsic worth, I couldn’t help but look at the blond-haired, blue-eyed, beautiful boy sitting at my feet playing with his Nintendo DS… and I fought back tears.

Max is one of the lucky 10%.

After the rally, Max, ever-social, shook the Senator’s hand and after receiving a warm smile from Mrs. Santorum, immediately hugged her. To this gesture she responded, “Oh Max! I love you! You’re so sweet!”  Now Max is hooked– he LOVES the Santorums. When he sees the Senator on the news he exclaims, “I know him!!” and waves and waves at the TV despite the fact that he knows very well Senator Santorum cannot see or hear him. Max doesn’t care though- he pours out his love and energy anyway, because that is what he does.

Max with the Santorum’s

Max is a lover. I am convinced that he was put on this earth solely for love. He loves everyone who crosses his path, smiling, waving and hugging even complete strangers. Max sets the best example of unconditional love I’ve ever encountered, and he knows how to let himself be loved too. Despite his disability, Max seems to know a lot more about what it means to truly live than I do.

I can’t tell you the number of times people have witnessed our family’s interaction with Max and said, “He is so lucky to have you guys. Max could not have come to a family more perfect for him.” Knowing they aren’t seeing the whole picture, I always smile and reply,

“We need him so much more than he needs us.”

~ Grace